Collapsing box

ABSTRACT

A package having a top or lid and a coordinating container, which at least partially opens itself to expose an item retained therein. The container is configured to readily change from a first, assembled configuration to a second, at least partially collapsed configuration. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewalls or portions of the sidewalls, collapses, opens, drops, or otherwise changes from the assembled position when the lid is removed from the container. The sidewall or portion of sidewall that collapses is hinged to another portion of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 11/321,017, filed Dec.28, 2005, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to packaging, more particularly, toboxes.

BACKGROUND

Packaging boxes exist in all shapes and sizes. One common type is atwo-part package, having a container and a removable and replaceablelid. Examples of such packages include shoe boxes, hat boxes, sweaterboxes, and many gift boxes. To gain access to the interior of thecontainer retaining the item, the lid is removed, exposing the itemthrough the area exposed by the removed lid.

Boxes such as these have been used for giving gifts for numerous years.A different and more exciting box would be welcomed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention provides a new box that adds spark and excitementto gift giving and receiving. The disclosure of this application isdirected to a package, more particularly a box, e.g., a rigid box, thatcollapses, opens, unfolds, flattens, or otherwise changes from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration to expose at least a portion ofits interior volume. In the first configuration, the box has an interiorvolume for retaining an item therein. In the second configuration, atleast a portion of the box has pivoted or collapsed, eliminating atleast a portion of the interior volume and preferably exposing at leasta portion of any item therein. In an alternate second configuration, thebox has pivoted to a generally planar configuration with no interiorvolume; that is, the box walls have collapsed. In a way, the box opensitself, creating excitement for the receiver of the gift.

In one specific aspect, the invention is a package that includes acontainer and a lid removable from the container, the lid configured andarranged to engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewallsorthogonal to the base wall. The container has a base wall and at leastthree sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of at least one of thesidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The container couldhave four sidewalls, where at least a portion of each of the foursidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. It is possible thatthe entire sidewall is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The pivotalnature can be provided by a hinge, such as a living hinge.

In another specific aspect, the invention is a combination of a lidconfigured to engage with and be removable from a container, and thecontainer, which has a base wall and at least one sidewall connected tothe base wall, at least a portion of which is pivotal in relation to thebase wall. The container can have four sidewalls connected to the basewall, with at least a portion of one of the sidewalls being pivotal inrelation to the base wall. The entire sidewall could be pivotal, whichcould be via a living hinge between the base wall and the pivotalsidewall. Each of the four sidewalls could pivotal in relation to thebase wall, and the entire sidewalls could be pivotal, such as by aliving hinge.

In yet another specific aspect, the invention is to a container that hasa base wall and four sidewalls, each connected to the base wall, whereina portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to thebase wall. A living hinge can be positioned between the portion of eachof the four sidewalls that is pivotal in relation to the base wall and aportion of the sidewall that is not pivotal in relation to the basewall. The entire sidewall, of each of the four sidewalls, can be pivotalto the base wall. A living hinge can be positioned between the foursidewalls and the base wall.

Methods for using the boxes or containers, and of making the boxes orcontainers, are described.

These and various other features which characterize the boxes orcontainers of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in theattached claims. For a better understanding of the boxes of thedisclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by theiruse, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanyingdescription, in which there is illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first box plan embodiment in a first,assembled configuration, having a lid thereon, according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the box plan of FIG. 1 with the lidlifted off from the box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box plan of FIGS. 1 and 2, showingthe walls of the box plan moving from the first assembled configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the box plan in a second, planar configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second box plan embodiment in a first,assembled configuration, with the lid lifted off from the box;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the box plan of FIG. 5, showing portionsof the walls of the box plan moving from the first assembledconfiguration;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the second box plan in a second, planarconfiguration;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the lid of FIGS. 1 and 5, illustrated in aplanar configuration; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a package having a top or lid and acoordinating container. The container is configured to be readilychanged from a first, assembled position to a second, at least partiallycollapsed condition. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewallsor portions of the sidewalls, collapses, open, drops, or otherwisechanges from the assembled position when the lid is removed from thecontainer. In other words, at least a portion of the containercollapses, providing access to the container interior, in addition tothe access gained via the removed lid.

The package is particularly suited for use as a gift box, for retaininga gift or present. When the recipient of the gift removes the lid fromthe container, at least a portion of at least one sidewall collapses,opens, or otherwise changes its position, to preferably reveal at leasta portion of the gift inside. In some embodiments, all sidewallscollapse, or, a portion of all sidewalls collapse.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, a firstembodiment of a package according to the present invention isillustrated. The illustrated package is a box 10 having an interiorvolume for retaining an item therein. Box 10 includes a top 20 and acontainer 50, with top 20 being configured to removably engage with andseat over a portion of container 50; see FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, and FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular,container 50 is a generally rectangular or square structure, having foursidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 connected to and surrounding a bottom wall 55.Sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55 define an interior 60 (FIG.2) for retaining an item therein.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 has atop edge 52A, 54A, 56A, 58A, an opposite bottom edge 52B, 54B, 56B, 58B,a first side edge 52C, 54C, 56C, 58C, and a second side edge 52D, 54D,56D, 58D opposite the first side edge 52C, 54C, 56C, 58C. The terms“top”, “bottom” and “side” are relative, and, in this discussion, referto the positioning of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 when in an orientation asin FIG. 2. Bottom wall 55 has first edge 55A, second edge 55B, thirdedge 55C and fourth edge 55D.

When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 join at corners 62, 64, 66, 68.Specifically, sidewall 52 and sidewall 54 form corner 62 where side edge52D and side edge 54C meet; sidewall 54 and sidewall 56 form a corner 64where side edge 54D and side edge 56C meet; sidewall 56 and sidewall 58form a corner (not seen) where side edge 56D and side edge 58C meet; andsidewall 58 and sidewall 52 form corner 68 where side edge 58D and sideedge 52C meet. Sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 contact one another at corners62, 64, 68, but are not attached or connected. See FIG. 3, whichillustrates sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 not contacting one another andforming corners. Additional discussion regarding sidewalls 52, 54, 56,58 and corners 62, 64, 68 is below.

Each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 is connected to bottom wall 55 by ahinge 102, 104, 106, 108, respectively. Specifically, bottom edge 52B ofsidewall 52 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55A viahinge 102; bottom edge 54B of sidewall 54 is pivotally connected tobottom wall 55 at edge 55B via hinge 104; bottom edge 56B of sidewall 56is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55C via hinge 106, andbottom edge 58B of sidewall 58 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55at edge 55D via hinge 108.

In the preferred embodiment, hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 is a living hinge112, 114, 116, 118, meaning, that living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118 is athin section of material that connects two parts to keep them togetherand allow the part to be opened and closed; the material may be integralwith the two hinged parts. Additional details regarding living hinge112, 114, 116, 118 are provided below. It should be understood thathinge 102, 104, 106, 108 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge102, 104, 106, 108 allows pivotal movement between each of sidewalls 52,54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a second embodiment of a packageaccording to the present invention is illustrated. The illustratedpackage is a box 1000 having an interior volume for retaining itemstherein. Elements of box 1000 that are the same as elements of box 10retain the same reference numerals.

Box 1000 includes top 20 (similar to top 20 of box 10) and a container5000. Top 20 is configured to removably engage with and seat over aportion of container 5000. Container 5000 is a generally rectangular orsquare structure, having four sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800,connected to and surrounding bottom wall 55. Sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600,5800 and bottom wall 55 define an interior 6000 (FIG. 5) for retainingan item therein.

Each of sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 has a top edge, an oppositebottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, similar tosidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58. When in a first, assembled configuration, suchas illustrated in FIG. 5, sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 join at fourcorners.

Each of sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 differ from sidewalls 52, 54,56, 58 in that each of sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 has a bottomwall portion 72, 74, 76, 78, respectively, and a top wall portion 82,84, 86, 88, respectively. Each of bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 hasa top edge 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A, an opposite bottom edge 72B, 74B, 76B,78B, a first side edge 72C, 74C, 76C, 78C, and a second side edge 72D,74D, 76D, 78D opposite the first side edge 72C, 74C, 76C, 78C. Each oftop wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88 has a top edge 82A, 84A, 86A, 88A, anopposite bottom edge 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B, a first side edge 82C, 84C,86C, 88C, and a second side edge 82D, 84D, 86D, 88D opposite the firstside edge 82C, 84C, 86C, 88C. Again, the terms “top”, “bottom” and“side” are relative, and, in this discussion, refer to the positioningof wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88 when in an orientationas in FIG. 5. Bottom wall 55 has first edge 55A, second edge 55B, thirdedge 55C and fourth edge 55D.

Top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 are pivotally connected to itsrespective bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 by a hinge 122, 124, 126,128. Specifically, bottom edges 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B are pivotallyconnected to the respective top edges 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A. In thepreferred embodiment, hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 is a living hinge 132,134, 136, 138. Additional details regarding living hinge 132, 134, 136,138 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 122, 124,126, 128 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 122, 124, 126,128 allows pivotal movement between each of top wall portions 82, 84,86, 88 and bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78.

When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 6,bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 join at corners 162, 164, 168.Specifically, wall portion 72 and wall portion 74 form corner 162 whereside edge 72D and side edge 74C meet; wall portion 74 and wall portion76 form a corner 164 where side edge 74D and side edge 76C meet; wallportion 76 and wall portion 78 form a corner (not seen) where side edge76D and side edge 78C meet; and wall portion 78 and wall portion 72 formcorner 168 where side edge 78D and side edge 72C meet. Bottom wallportions 72, 74, 76, 78 contact one another at corners 162, 164, 168,and preferably have a mechanism to attach or connect. In one embodiment,a flexible adhesive tab is used to connect the sidewall edges together.In FIG. 7, extending from wall portion 74 at side edge 74C is a tab16200, which is configured to adhere to wall portion 72 at side edge72D, to form corner 162. Similarly, extending from wall portion 76 atside edge 76C is a tab 16400, which is configured to adhere to wallportion 74 at side edge 74D, to form corner 164; extending from wallportion 78 at side edge 78C is a tab 16600, which is configured toadhere to wall portion 76 at side edge 76D, to form the unseen corner;and extending from wall portion 72 at side edge 72C is a tab 16800,which is configured to adhere to wall portion 78 at side edge 78D, toform corner 168. A close up of various adhesive tabs is illustrated inand discussed in reference to FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, details regarding lid 20 arediscussed. In FIGS. 8 and 9, lid 20 is in a planar configuration; thatFIGS. 7 and 8 show lid 20 prior to being assembled and oriented for use,as in FIG. 1; such a configuration facilitates storage and shipping oflid 20.

As seen in FIG. 1, when assembled, lid 20 is a generally rectangular orsquare structure, having four sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 connected to andsurrounding a top wall 25. Sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25 areconfigured to provided lid 20 with dimensions to interact with container50, 5000.

As best seen in FIG. 8, each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 has a bottomedge 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, an opposite top edge 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, afirst side edge 22C, 24C, 26C, 28C, and a second side edge 22D, 24D,26D, 28D opposite the first side edge 22C, 24C, 26C, 28C. The terms“bottom”, “top” and “side” are relative, and, in this discussion, referto the positioning of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 when in an orientation asin FIG. 1. When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustratedin FIG. 1, sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 join at corners 32, 34, 38.Specifically, sidewall 22 and sidewall 24 form corner 32 where side edge22D and side edge 24C meet; sidewall 24 and sidewall 26 form a corner 34where side edge 24D and side edge 26C meet; sidewall 26 and sidewall 28form a corner (not seen) where side edge 26D and side edge 28C meet; andsidewall 28 and sidewall 22 form corner 38 where side edge 28D and sideedge 22C meet. Sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 contact one another at corners32, 34, 38, and preferably have a mechanism to attach or connect. In oneembodiment, a flexible adhesive tab is used to connect the sidewalledges together. In FIG. 8, extending from sidewall 24 at side edge 24Cis a tab 3200, which is configured to adhere to sidewall 22 at side edge22D, to form corner 32. Similarly, extending from sidewall 26 at sideedge 26C is a tab 3400, which is configured to adhere to sidewall 24 atside edge 24D, to form corner 34; extending from sidewall 28 at sideedge 28C is a tab 3600, which is configured to adhere to sidewall 26 atside edge 26D, to form the unseen corner; and extending from sidewall 22at side edge 22C is a tab 3800, which is configured to adhere tosidewall 28 at side edge 28D, to form corner 38. FIG. 9 illustrates aclose-up of tab 3200, with a portion of a release liner 100 removedexposing adhesive tape 101, which will connect to sidewall 22.

Each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 is connected to top wall 25 by a hinge142, 144, 146, 148. In the preferred embodiment, hinge 142, 144, 146,148 is a living hinge 152, 154, 156, 158. Additional details regardingliving hinge 152, 154, 156, 158 are provided below. It should beunderstood that hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 could have other suitableconfigurations. Hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 allows pivotal movement betweeneach of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25.

Referring now to FIG. 9, living hinge 152, 154 is discussed. It shouldbe understood that this discussion, even though directed to living hinge152, 154 between top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24, is likewiseapplicable to living hinges 112, 114, 116, 118 and 132, 134, 136, 138and 156, 158. In FIG. 9, top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24 areillustrated; this is analogous to bottom wall 55 with sidewalls 52, 54and bottom wall 55 with sidewalls 5200, 5400.

Living hinge 152, 154 is formed by an extension of material connectingsidewall 22, 24 and bottom wall 25, respectively. An example of asuitable extension of material is an adhesive tape or other adhesivebacked material, such as paper. In a preferred embodiment, a singlepiece of adhesive tape is used for all of living hinges 152, 154, 156,158 and tabs 3200, 3400, 3600, 3800; this material would generally thencover all of top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28. The materialforming living hinge 152, 154 (and the others) is sufficiently flexibleto allow pivoting of sidewalls 22, 24 in relation to bottom wall 25,preferably repeated pivoting. In particular, living hinges 152, 154 aresufficiently flexible to allow sidewalls 22, 24 to be moved to aposition orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to top wall 25. After positioningboth sidewalls 22, 24 orthogonal to top wall 25, tab 3200 can be used toadhere edge 22D to edge 24C to form corner 32 (FIG. 1). It is desired totightly abut edges 22D to edge 24C, in order to form a strong corner 32.It is also desired to obtain a tight connection between sidewall 22 andtop wall 25 (i.e., at edges 25A and 22B), and between sidewall 24 andtop wall 25 (i.e., at edges 25B and 24B) at the location of livinghinges 152, 154.

To facilitate a tight connection between sidewalls 22, 24 and bottomwall 25, the meeting edges are configured for tight abutment. Bottomwall 25 has edge 25A which is a beveled edge 2500A and edge 25B which isa beveled edge 2500B. Sidewall 22 has edge 22B which is a beveled edge2200B, and likewise sidewall 24 has edge 24B which is a beveled edge2400B.

Beveled edges 2500A, 2200B meet at living hinge 152 between bottom wall25 and sidewall 22, and beveled edges 2500B, 2400B meet at living hinge154 between bottom wall 25 and sidewall 24.

Pairs of meeting beveled edges, such as 2500A and 2200B, and 2500B and2400B, are preferably configured to abut each other when bottom wall 25and sidewalls 22, 24 are in the desired assembled position, in theembodiment discussed, orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to each other. Apair of beveled edges preferably forms a 90 degree or right angle, orclose thereto, for these embodiments. Preferably, each of a pair ofbeveled edges, such as 2500A and 2200B, and 2500B and 2400B, are about45 degrees, so that when positioned at a right angle, the edges have atight connection. It may be desired, in some instances, to have each atabout 43-44 degrees, to allow for a little play when brought together.Other angles for beveled edges may also be used, although not aspreferable as 45 degrees. For example, one edge of a pair could have a30 degree bevel and the other edge of the pair could have a 60 degreebevel. The bevel of each edge, along with the edge in combination withits pair, affects the ease with which top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24can be brought orthogonal to each other, and the rate at which sidewallsof container 50, 5000 fall or collapse. It should be understood thatdepending on the shape of the box, for example, a tapered or pyramidalcontainer, the edges may be beveled to form an angle other than 90degrees.

As discussed above, this discussion has been directed to living hinges152, 153 between sidewalls 22, 24 and top wall 25 and their respectiveedges. The principles discussed can be adapted to any of living hinges112, 114, 116, 118, sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55, andliving hinges 132, 134, 136, 138, bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78,and top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88.

Referring again to FIG. 9, sidewall 22 has edge 22D which forms corner32 (FIG. 1) with sidewall 24 at edge 24C. To facilitate a tightconnection between sidewalls 22, 24, the meeting edges are configuredfor tight abutment. Sidewall 22 has edge 22D which is a beveled edge2200D, and likewise sidewall 24 has edge 24C which is a beveled edge2400C. The bevel of each edge, along with the edge in combination withits pair, affects the ease with which sidewalls 22, 24 can be broughttogether to form corner 32.

It should be understood that although this discussion has been directedto sidewalls 22, 24 that form corner 32, the beveled edge principlesdiscussed can be adapted to any of the sidewalls that form a corner,such as sidewalls 52, 54 which meet at corner 62.

To use package 10, any item can be placed into interior volume 60 andlid 20 carefully placed on container 50 so as to hold sidewalls 52, 54,56, 58 together. It should be understood that any packing material canalso be added to volume 60. Assembled package 10 would have theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1.

To remove the item from within, lid 20 is raised off of container 50, asillustrated in FIG. 2. With the containment caused by lid 20 removed,sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 pivot or otherwise fall down, as illustrated inFIG. 3, exposing the item and any packing material. The rate by whichsidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 fall or collapse depends on hinge 102, 104,106, 108 (e.g., living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118) and edges 52B, 54B,56B, 58B and 55A, 55B, 55C, 55D, such as whether or not the edges arebeveled and to what degree. A particulate or other packing materialhaving numerous items (e.g., packing peanuts) will have a tendency tospill out. In this embodiment of the package, the item is generallycomplete exposed, with no portion of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 extendingabove bottom wall 55.

To use package 1000, any item can be placed into interior volume 6000and lid 20 carefully placed on container 5000 so as to hold sidewalls5200, 5400, 5600, 5800, particularly top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88,together. It should be understood that any packing material can also beadded to volume 6000.

To remove the item, lid 20 is raised off of container 5000, asillustrated in FIG. 5. With the retainment caused by lid 20 removed, topwall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 pivot or otherwise fall down in relation tobottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, as illustrated in FIG. 6, exposingthe item. In this embodiment, the item is generally at least partiallyretained within interior 6000 by bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78.Bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78 will also retain some packingmaterial.

In a preferred embodiment, each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58, 5200, 5400,5600, 5800 and bottom wall 55 of container 50, 5000 and sidewalls 22,24, 26, 28 and top wall 25 of lid 20 are either paperboard or hardboard.Suitable thicknesses include ⅛ inch and 1/16 inch. These materials canbe readily formed, e.g., cut, to have beveled edges, if desired.Adhesive tape, such as tab 3200, readily adheres to paperboard orhardboard. Another preferred material for container 50, 5000 and lid 20is plastic. A plastic sheet can be readily stamped, cut, embossed, orotherwise manipulated to create the walls and beveled edges.Alternately, plastic can be directly molded to form the desiredconfiguration. Living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118 can be readily molded orpressed into plastic.

It should be understood that the package of the present invention couldbe modified and remain within the scope of the invention. For example, apentagon-shaped package could be made, with the container and the topeach having five sidewalls. Other shapes for the package are alsosuitable, such as triangular, elongate rectangular, hexagonal,octagonal, tapered or pyramidal and the like. For example, a triangularbox would have a triangular bottom wall and three rectangular sidewalls.It is not necessary to have a lid; other designs would be suitable. Forexample, 3-sided pyramidal box could have a triangular bottom wall andthree triangular sidewalls that meet and are retained at a peak by abow. A 4-sided pyramidal box could have a square bottom wall and fourtriangular sidewalls that meet and are retained by a ribbon. It is notnecessary that all of the sidewalls or portions of all of the sidewallscollapse; rather, any number of sidewalls could collapse. For example,for a square container, two sidewalls could be hinged and configured tocollapse and the other two sidewalls could be fixed in position. Asanother example, for a hexagonal package, three adjacent sidewalls couldbe hinged and configured to collapse. The assembled package could beessentially any size; examples of suitable sizes include 3×3×3 inches,4×4×4 inches, and 6×6×6 inches. Still further, it should be understoodthat the package could be made from any suitable material, includingwood, metal, cardboard, etc. Any suitable decoration or indicia can bepresent on the exterior or interior of the box or lid. For example, thedecoration or indicia could have a theme related to the item within thebox, or could be directed to an occasion, such as a birthday, or aholiday. This decoration or indicia could be placed directly onto thesidewalls or be applied as a laminate or otherwise with a carrier.

The above specification and examples are believed to provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of theinvention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope andspirit of the invention reside in the broad meaning of the claimshereinafter.

1. A package, comprising: a container having a base wall and at leastthree sidewalls wherein each of the sidewalls includes an upper portionand a lower portion and wherein an upper portion of each of the foursidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall and the lower portionis fixed relative to the base wall, wherein the sidewalls are configuredto contact each other but are not secured to each other; and a lidconfigured to extend over an upper opening defined by the sidewalls, thelid being removable from the container, the lid configured and arrangedto engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewalls orthogonal tothe base wall; wherein the upper portions of the sidewalls areconfigured to collapse outwardly when the lid is removed from thecontainer.
 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the container comprisesfour sidewalls.
 3. The package of claim 1, wherein the upper portions ofthe sidewalls are connected to the lower portions of the sidewalls witha living hinge that enables the upper portions to pivot relative to thelower portions.
 4. The package of claim 1, wherein at least two adjacentlower portions of the sidewalls are configured to contact each other andare secured to each other.
 5. A method of opening a gift box comprising:providing a container including a base wall and at least three sidewallsextending upwardly from the base wall, wherein at least a portion theside edges of the sidewalls are configured to contact each other but arenot secured to each other; providing a lid removable from the container,the lid configured and arranged to engage the sidewalls and retain thesidewalls in a generally vertical orientation when the lid is on thecontainer; and removing the lid from the container thereby allowing theportion of the side edges of the sidewalls that are configured tocontact each other but are not secured to each other to fall away fromeach other.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the walls include an upperportion and a lower portion and the upper portions are configured tocontact each other but are not secured to each other and the lowerportions contact each other and are secured to each other.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein the upper portions pivot away from each other whenthe lid is removed while the lower portions stay connected to eachother.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the walls include an upperportion and a lower portion and both the upper and lower portions areconfigured to contact each other but are not secured to each other.